Result of Service

The consultant will be required to assess the performance of the ARISE initiative, its governance and delivery architecture and develop recommendations (UNDRR Work Programme Deliverable 3.2.1 Business resilience enhanced and private sector leadership in disaster risk reduction promoted).

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

01 Oct to 15 Dec 24

Duties and Responsibilities

Org. Setting Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. UNDRR was established in 1999 as a dedicated secretariat to facilitate the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). It is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution (56/195), to serve as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations system and regional organizations and activities in socio‐economic and humanitarian fields. Upon the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 by all UN member states in March 2015, UNDRR was tasked by the UN General Assembly to support the implementation, follow-up and review of the Framework. As a part of its normative mandate, UNDRR is supporting countries, in particular in least developed and small island countries, in the development, implementation and monitoring of progress of national and local disaster risk reduction strategies. UNDRR thereby focuses particularly on ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to disaster risk reduction, in raising awareness and engaging representatives of all relevant stakeholder groups in the strategy discussions. Background and Context Economic growth and community well-being are directly impacted by disasters. As key members of communities and drivers of growth, private sector companies have an important role to play in reducing disaster risk. With threats to communities and economic livelihoods increasing, the private sector continues to grow its understanding of where to adapt and respond. To drive change and leadership from the business community, the ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies was started by UNDRR in 2015 as the mechanism to support the private sector to become a key partner in reducing disaster risk. It has grown to over 450 members and 29 networks across the world. In joining ARISE, private sector companies voluntarily commit to support and implement the Sendai Framework, aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Paris Climate Agreement, New Urban Agenda and Agenda for Humanity. ARISE networks further contribute to achieving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across four focus areas: resilience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), insurance, investment, and infrastructure. The ARISE value proposition calls for members to “act now, be resilient, create impact, help societies, and expand your network.” There is incredible energy and appetite to grow ARISE and to equip it to effect change in how the private sector invests in a risk-informed sustainable future. There is an opportunity for ARISE to continue playing a crucial role in engaging the private sector. However, despite its growth and the importance of the private sector, ARISE faces challenges in terms of its internal processes, on-the-ground engagement, scalability, and impact. Thus, UNDRR seeks to find pathways for overcoming challenges and taking advantage of opportunities together with Board members, network leaders, members, and other non-private sector stakeholders. This evaluation is expected to be conducted during Q3 of 2024 and has the following objectives: • Assess the performance of ARISE initiative, its governance and delivery architecture in terms of its relevance, coherence, effectiveness, cost efficiency, business processes, sustainability, and progress to impact. • Develop a series of findings, lessons, good practice and recommendations for enhancing and ensuring that private sector engagement ARISE is fit-for-purpose building on the findings and recommendations of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework and the Political Declaration. The evaluation will be carried out as an independent in-depth review using analytical and participatory approaches whereby all key parties associated with ARISE (board members, network leaders, selection of members) UNDRR focal points and regional chiefs of office, and select focal points from risk knowledge, communications, and external relations branch and initiatives of relevance (e.g. IAB, CCRO, MCR2030, Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM), WinDRR, and Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments) and external partners (e.g. the United Nations Global Compact, UNDP-OCHA Connecting Business Initiative, UNICEF Business Community Resilience, IDF, CDRI and UNEP FI), will be informed and a representative group consulted throughout the review. Responsibilities: Under supervision of Head of the Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement Unit of UNDRR Office of Geneva, the consultant will be required to assess the performance of ARISE initiative, its governance and delivery architecture and develop recommendations. To conduct these tasks, the consultant needs to o Define the assessment methodology to use in the review o include in the evaluation consultations with both internal and external stakeholders o data collection and literature review o development of evaluation key questions and criteria o application of mixed methods, including analytical and participatory approaches (e.g. appreciative inquiry) o execute a process for validating findings with key stakeholders

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree in sustainable development, organization development, evaluation, business management, international economic development, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with a minimum of 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. – A minimum of 15 years of demonstrated experience and project references in the area of monitoring and evaluation or a related field is required; – Experience in public-private partnership and public sphere is required; – Experience in running consultations and policy development processes with the private sector is desirable; – Experience in evaluating information needs and providing appropriate and targeted information accordingly is desirable; – Experience in the private sector is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.